The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-12-02

IlI WAGER she will not buy a new ooh-
net for all the new curates IN theto"h'
slowly we walked to church on tina
bricHt Sabbath morning, Marcia chat
tiT,7 ra;Iv, and dressed in the PLAIN
est Of dresses, walking silently beside
her.
had not fully recovered from Mrs
Rr1ors' unkind remarks, and was de
termined to show he my drNhcIl''',
ton to set my cap as she termed
it, by appearing in an exceedingly III.
bpc0minc gown. | was really diS&p-
Dointed on catching a last glimpse IN
the mirrtOr, to find Acknowledgements
nv plain toilet and my sixand TWEEN
~ wears, | was still q pretty woman,
and to hear my mother say Is l
stopped to kiss her, "HOw well you
are looking, Mattie,"
How crowded the little village
church was. filled to OVerilOWlnS.
Every one was there, even that nate,
fuI Mrs. Briggs. caught Il giiInps9 OF
the !reat pcEe bonnet as | walked
quickly to my seat.
They were singing as we entered, YET
| scarcely heard them, feeling rather
embarrassed at coming late to be
cazed 1T by the entire congregations
Isank YEARLY among the soft cush-
ions, gladly taking refuge bchmd a
huge paIm-Ieaf fan kindly pr"tfered
by a pOrtIv old gentleman beside me.
Now Il hush, a slight lutrering
among the congregation, a rustic OF
garments, With now and then a sub,
ducd whisper as the pulpit was rolled
close to the chancel, and the new
curate assembled.
Hes lust lovelyn' whispered Mar
cia. pulling softly at my sleeve. 'Do
look at him, Miss kenwOOd."
| kept my eyes dOwncast. II every
woman in the congregation cast CLAN
ces OF admiration, undetermined to
do otherwise.
Am I my brothers keeper" vas
the text.
Clear and distinct came the words
of the speaker.
The first words had caused my
heart to beat wildly. How like that
voice OF long ago, that rich, soft voice
that had pleaded for my love! l lis
tened like one in a dream, until rals-
ed my eyes to see before me-Robert
Preston.
Yes, Robert Preston. Changed to
be sure-not the bright, bOyish face of
long ago.. There were lines Of care and
suffering on it now, while the dark
HAIR was streaked with silver.
Was Kathleen dead? wondered.
Had he given uD his practice? Was he
happy?
Fifty different things crowded upon
my memory.
Why had fate thrown us o once
together after my bitter struggle to
forget?
One thing I was determined upon; l
must leave the village. | dared not
trust myself further. Reason as |
would, my heart told me that loved
him still.
1t was all over! l could hear the
whispered comments on the new Gu
rate.
The singers were chanting in that
nasal, drawing tone so natural to
village choirs, and still | sat dream
ing.
"Are you coming?" asked my COM
p~anion; then, as | arose mechanically
to obey, Don't you like him, Miss
Kenwood? Do tel me! You listened
attentively, and once, as ! looked at
you | thought you were going to faint
you looked so pale. Are you
ill?"
Eyes, l like him" / said aloud, while
my heart whispered, "God pity me, |
love him!"
We were out once more inthe bright
sunshine, comma quite Unexpectedly
upon a little group, composed of the
Wealthier members of the congreaa-
ton gathered around the new curate.
They had learned he was a man OF
and standing, choosing his
simply AS a matter OF tasoa.
Some one-I think it was the par
sons wlfe-presented me to him.
Our eyes met; our hands touched,
as, resting those serious eyes upon
me. he said: 81 have had the pleas
ure of meeting Miss Kenwood before
/ cannot tell you how it happened
that we we're all walking out through
the church-yard towards the highway,
and / found myself alone with Robert.
He was the first to break the silence.
1t PANIED me to- think it was a com
monplace remark.
"How is Kathleen2D / asked en-
deavoring to show him how little !
cared FOR the past, and how, without
betraying the slightest emotion, |
could inquire alter his wife's health.
* thIeenl" He looked rather
dazed at the question. II believe she
is well, but not happy poor g;rll''
He believed she was well. How
strangel Had he grown weary OF her
as OF me9 Was he utterly devoid Of
honor2
Not happy" Isaid, as | toyed
nervously at the roses In my bodice
sShe should be very happy as-as-
your wife, Ifaltered.
"As my wife?" he said, gazing in
blank amazement. did you-oI
Mastie, you have judged me wrongly
I never married Kathleenl''
II II L-N M 100